Abia State Deputy Governor’s Chief Press Secretary Rebutted Claims of Kidnapping of Lawmaker
Contrary to reports, the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chukwudi Eke Mba, has clarified that Abia State House of Assembly member, Kalu Mba Nwoke, was not kidnapped on Saturday.
Instead, he was arrested for allegedly storming the Ohafia local government secretariat with a group of thugs, attempting to intimidate voters and seize electoral materials. This information was issued in response to comments made by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Etigwe Uwa, who claimed that Nwoke was unlawfully detained, assaulted, and removed on election day. Uwa also suggested that security forces acted on orders from Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu.
Categorically disagreeing with these claims, the Chief Press Secretary stated, “Honorable Kalu Mba Nwoke intimidated the very people he is representing by invading the local government secretariat with over 50 thugs and forcefully trying to hijack electoral materials during their distribution to various wards. His arrest was lawful because he was trying to obstruct the electoral process, which is a criminal offense.”
Furthermore, Eke Mba emphasized that no cases of kidnapping or abduction of political opponents took place in Ohafia before or during the election. According to reports from the Daily Post, Nwoke, a well-known grassroots politician, was released by the police on Sunday.
